Dunblane Early Bulb Display 21 February 2015

[Maggi Young]

Dunblane Early Bulb Display 21 February  2015 - Victoria Hall, Dunblane
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

"Kewing for Bulbs with Kit Strange"
with talks at 11am and 2pm by Kit Strange of RBG Kew.

Talks, a display of plants, sales, chat and company - what could be better for a February Day?

All details in the Show Schedules http://files.srgc.net/show_info/SRGCShowSchedules2015.pdf

[Matt T]

I wish I had been there this year 
Hopefully plenty of folk will have captured some of the spring delights on show? 

[Derek Davidson]

Was counting on going this year wasnt to be sadly

[Roma]

I did take a few pictures of the plants on display but none of people or the nurseries so it is a far from comprehensive report on what was a very enjoyable day.

Sandy Leven set up three troughs of Snowdrops and one with Narcissus ?Tete-a-Tete and violas
Galanthus 'Sophie North'   

[Roma]

Cyclamen persicum
Cyclamen pseudibericum
Cyclamen alpinum
Cyclamen coum

[Maggi Young]

Well done, Roma - Ian said that what with sorting out the projection and sound and so many people wanting to chat  he never got a minute to even get his camera out of his pocket.

This pic of  part of the audience was tweeted by John Mitchell

[Roma]

Crocus korolkowii
Crocus malyi
Colchicum hungaricum
Leucojum vernum
Scilla mischtschenkoana on the right and I've forgotten the name of the other one

[Roma]

Narcissus
Narcissus 'Betty Mae'
Narcissus cantabricus
Reticulata Irises

[Roma]

John Amand brought some of Alan McMurtrie's Iris hybrids to set us all drooling (well some of us anyway - the browns and greens are not to everybody's taste).  They were off to the Joint Rock Committee when I was taking pictures earlier and the light was poor when I went back later so I had to use flash.
No names on first two
3. Iris 'Storm'
4. Iris 'Eyelash'
5. Iris Spot On'
 

[Roma]

Last few
Ranunculus calandrinioides
Helleborus thibetanus
Primula whitei 'Arduaine' 

[Matt T]

Thanks, Roma. What a good showing of plants.
Not many Galanthus this year? Nice to see Sandy's troughs showing cultivars side-by-side.
The irises look stunning, this seems to be the year for the wee retics.

Has Ian recovered yet, Maggi? I hope he has his feet propped up and a cup of tea.

[Maggi Young]

He gone for a swim, Matt - set off through the driving sleet and wind ..... glutton for punishment that lad. He was tired last night - but managed to bring home a lovely selection of reticulate Iris , which is better than the catalogue which was all he brought me from Ashwoods the other week......

[Matt T]

Good man! He'll feel quite energised after a few laps of the pool! It's been too long since I was swimming. Instead I have spent my afternoon baking a tropical cake, full of orange, passionfruit, banana and coconut, which counts as 4 of my 5-a-day! 

That is a lovely gift and I'm glad he found time for a bit of shopping - I suppose he daren't have done otherwise after the Ashwood disappointment?! The reticulata Irises have really captured by interest this spring. Have grown a couple of varieties for a while, but might have to procure a few more... 

[Maggi Young]

Sandy has found that lugging huge pots of snowdrops is getting to be a pain - so he came up with the idea of planting one or two bulbs of each kind in a pot and making up those pink "troughs" to be able to show many types in a small (more portable)  space   

Margaret ( known for her galanthus collection)  and David MacLennan were attending for the first time and they brought some 'drops  along.

The BD is returned  from his swim and a snooze in the steam room - glowing, from the cold air and his good deed. You're right Matt, I think after  the Ashwoods debacle  he was in fear for his safety.

[Matt T]

That's a good idea. I'm sure the axle on Sandy's car will be breathing a sigh of relief too!